Drew Madsen
Chief Executive Officer
Drew Madsen became Chief Executive Officer of Noodles & Company in March 2024. Prior to that, he served as our Interim CEO from November 2023 to March 2024. Drew has been a member of our Board of Directors since September 2017 and brings decades of experience as a C-suite executive and board member. Known for his track record of driving superior sales growth and shareholder returns, Drew is highly regarded for his ability to execute winning growth strategies and foster strong brand cultures. Most recently, Drew served as President of Panera Bread, where he helped lead advancements in clean food, digital ordering, and delivery, resulting in strong same-store sales and earnings growth. Before that, he spent 15 years at Darden Restaurants, ultimately serving as President and Chief Operating Officer for nearly a decade. Earlier in his career, Drew held brand leadership roles at General Mills, working on brands like Wheaties and Yoplait. He earned an MBA with Distinction from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, from DePauw University, where he was a Phi Beta Kappa member.
Joe Christina
President and Chief Operating Officer
Joe Christina joined Noodles & Company as President and Chief Operating Officer in February 2025. With over 30 years of restaurant industry experience, Joe is responsible for operations and human resources, focused on driving excellence, menu innovation, and catering growth. Prior to Noodles, Joe spent 29 years at Burger King in roles spanning Restaurant Manager to SVP of Franchise Operations. He later joined Church's Chicken as EVP of U.S. Operations before rising to CEO, where he led six years of strong year-over-year growth. Most recently, he served as CEO of Tijuana Flats, where he revitalized the brand and drove expansion.
Mike Hynes
Chief Financial Officer
Mike Hynes joined Noodles & Company as Chief Financial Officer in July 2023, bringing over 25 years of finance and accounting experience. Before Noodles, he held multiple leadership roles at Ruth’s Hospitality Group, including VP of Finance and Accounting at Ruth’s Chris Steak House, where he oversaw investor relations, SEC reporting, strategic planning, and financial analysis. Earlier in his career, Mike worked at firms including RSM and Deloitte. He is a CPA and holds a BS in Business Administration from Auburn University and a Master of Accountancy from the University of Georgia.
Scott Davis
Chief Concept officer
Scott Davis joined Noodles & Company as Chief Concept Officer in June 2024. He brings extensive experience in concept development and culinary innovation. Before Noodles, Scott was President and Chief Concept Officer at CoreLife Eatery, a fast-casual bowl-based concept, and prior to that, he served as Chief Concept Officer at Panera Bread. There, he helped grow the brand from a regional chain to a national leader with over 1,800 locations. Scott is passionate about menu development, sustainability, and design, and plays a pivotal role in driving LTO and core menu innovation at Noodles.
Kathy Lockhart
Chief Accounting Officer
Kathy Lockhart has served as Chief Accounting Officer of Noodles & Company since August 2020, following 14 years as the Company’s Vice President and Controller. She brings extensive experience from leadership roles at Einstein Bros., Boston Market, VICORP, and Ultimate Electronics. Kathy holds a BA in Business Administration and Political Science from Western Colorado University and is a CPA and CGMA.
Corey Kline
Executive Vice-President of Technology
Corey Kline is our EVP of Technology. He joined Noodles & Company in September 2011 as Director of IT and was promoted to VP in 2016. Corey previously held roles at Famous Dave’s, Accenture, Jefferson Wells, and IBM, with a background in enterprise applications and risk management. Corey holds a BA in Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science from Luther College.
Stephen Kennedy
Executive Vice-President of Marketing
Steve Kennedy joined Noodles & Company as EVP of Marketing in November 2024. He brings over 25 years of marketing and brand-building experience. Prior to Noodles, he was VP of Growth at Bounteous and held VP roles at Nestlé USA and Domino’s Pizza, where he helped lead the brand's digital transformation. Steve also held senior roles at General Motors, Borders Books, and Campbell-Ewald, with deep expertise in digital strategy, creative, and consumer engagement.
Jennilee Childs
Vice-President of Human Resources
Jennilee Childs became VP of Human Resources at Noodles & Company in March 2024, having joined the Company in 2019. She leads our people strategy, working closely with operations leaders to enhance employee engagement, support business goals, and foster a culture of inclusion. Jennilee has held HR roles at Rock Bottom Restaurants and Lowe’s Home Improvement. She holds an MBA from George Washington University.
Cheryl Lucente
Vice-President of Legal & Corporate Secretary
Cheryl Lucente joined Noodles & Company as VP of Legal in March 2025. She was appointed as our Corporate Secretary in May 2025. Cheryl brings over 20 years of legal experience to Noodles, most recently serving as in-house counsel for Bloomin’ Brands, Inc., the parent company to Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. She received a BS degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida and her law degree, magna cum laude, and MBA from Stetson University.